Concerns have been raised about the potential risks of wearing masks, particularly when it comes to heart-related issues.
Recently, mainstream media and government agencies have been spreading a lot of fear about COVID-19’s impact on older people and the importance of wearing masks, even for those with heart conditions. This viewpoint is really concerning. The Qvive Network, along with the Universal Health Organisation (UHO) and Awaken India Movement (AIM) team, have encountered many cases where masks have been linked to negative effects that could potentially be harmful to our health.
While each case may have specific circumstances, the general principle is that the government should make accommodations for individuals who cannot wear masks due to legitimate medical reasons. Failure to provide these accommodations may be considered a violation of individuals’ rights.
TOI, Dec 19, 2023: Karnataka takes preventive measures amidst a surge in Covid cases, mandating face masks for individuals aged 60 and those with comorbidities. Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao announced the new directive, extending it to individuals displaying symptoms like fever, cold, and cough.
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Certain medical conditions can significantly impede mask-wearing. For example, individuals who suffer from severe respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, may find it difficult to breathe properly with a mask on. Likewise, individuals with sensory processing disorders, autism, or claustrophobia may experience heightened anxiety or distress when wearing masks due to sensory sensitivities or feelings of confinement.
Now the concern is that individuals with certain medical conditions or disabilities may have difficulty wearing masks for extended periods.
Mask Health Risk: Breathing Difficulties for Heart Patients
Many individuals with heart conditions already face difficulties with their respiratory system. The continuous use of masks adds an extra layer of strain on their breathing, exacerbating the challenges they already encounter. These breathing difficulties can be attributed to several factors related to mask-wearing.
- Limited oxygen intake:
Masks, especially those with a high filtration rate, may restrict the amount of oxygen that heart patients can effectively inhale. This reduced oxygen intake can lead to feelings of breathlessness and fatigue, making it harder for individuals to perform daily activities. - Increased carbon dioxide levels:
Wearing a mask for extended periods can cause a buildup of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air space between the mask and the face. This accumulation of CO2 can cause heart patients to experience dizziness, shortness of breath, and even headache. These symptoms further compromise their respiratory function and overall well-being. - Higher respiratory effort:
Heart patients often experience weakened lungs and reduced lung capacity. By wearing a mask, they need to exert more effort to draw in air, further straining their respiratory system. This increased respiratory effort can lead to a feeling of breathlessness, making even simple tasks challenging. - Discomfort and anxiety:
Heart patients, like anyone else, may find wearing masks uncomfortable. However, for individuals with heart conditions, this discomfort can trigger anxiety and panic, leading to additional breathing difficulties. The psychological impact of mask-wearing should not be underestimated, as it can significantly impact heart patient’s ability to manage their breathing. - Heart patients can educate their friends, family, and coworkers about the challenges they face while wearing masks. By raising awareness, they can create a supportive environment and ensure that others understand their need to manage their breathing difficulties effectively.
Can You Be Medically Exempt From Wearing a Face Mask?
The Answer is Yes!
According to the CDC [a], children younger than two should not wear masks or face shields. Putting a face shield or mask on your baby could increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome—or could strangle or suffocate your child.
[a] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/communication/COVID-19_Keep_Baby_Healthy.pdfThe CDC also mentions [b] people of any age with disabilities as possibly being exempt from wearing a mask.
[b] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/communication/COVID-19_Keep_Baby_Healthy.pdfIn a July 2020 Journal of the American Medical Association [c](JAMA) article, the authors of the article, “Mask Exemptions During the COVID-19 Pandemic—A New Frontier for Clinicians,” stated that there were very few guidelines for determining who should get a medical exemption [d], but that in addition to those already named by the CDC, the list should also include “some individuals, particularly children, with sensory processing disorders” and people with “facial deformities that are incompatible with masking.”
[c] [d] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/communication/COVID-19_Keep_Baby_Healthy.pdf [d] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/communication/COVID-19_Keep_Baby_Healthy.pdfBeyond that, every state and workplace had its own guidelines regarding the wearing of face coverings. In California, the state’s Department of Public Health gave mask exemptions to “persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering.” This included “persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a face covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance.”
The Dangers of CO2 Build-Up
When we breathe, our bodies inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide (CO2). While a certain level of CO2 is normal, excessive build-up can be detrimental to our health. When we wear a mask, it can create a barrier that restricts the flow of fresh air and traps the exhaled CO2 within the mask. This can result in an increased concentration of CO2 inside the mask, leading to potential health risks.
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Understanding the Risks
- Headaches and Dizziness: Breathing in higher levels of CO2 can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and lightheadedness. These symptoms can be particularly concerning for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions or compromised immune systems.
- Impaired Cognitive Function: Studies have shown that elevated levels of CO2 can impair cognitive function and affect decision-making abilities. This can have serious consequences in certain situations, such as when driving or operating heavy machinery.
- Reduced Oxygen Intake: Excessive CO2 build-up can also hinder the intake of oxygen, leading to a decreased supply to vital organs and tissues. This can result in fatigue, shortness of breath, and decreased overall performance.
It can actually be pretty dangerous, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They say that inhaling high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) be life-threatening. Hypercapnia (carbon dioxide toxicity) can also cause headache, vertigo, double vision, inability to concentrate, tinnitus (hearing a noise, like a ringing or buzzing, that’s not caused by an outside source), seizures, or suffocation due to displacement of air.
If you feel like your airways are cut off while wearing a mask, consider other possible causes, such as a panic attack, which can trigger sudden feelings of suffocation and breathlessness.
Additional Information:
According to CDC, People who SHOULD NOT get a flu shot include:
- Children younger than 6 months of age are too young to get a flu shot.
- People with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in a vaccine, including flu vaccine (other than egg proteins), should not get that vaccine. This might include gelatin, antibiotics, or other ingredients.
- People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a dose of influenza vaccine should not get that flu vaccine again and might not be able to receive other influenza vaccines. If you have had a severe allergic reaction to an influenza vaccine in the past, it is important to talk with your health care provider to help determine whether vaccination is appropriate for you.
People who should talk to their healthcare provider before getting a flu shot:
If you have one of the following conditions, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she can help decide whether vaccination is right for you, and select the best vaccine for your situation:
- If you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralyzing illness, also called GBS), talk to your doctor about your GBS history. Some people with a history of GBS should not get a flu vaccine.
- If you had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of any other flu vaccine, talk to your health care provider.
- If you are feeling sick, talk to your doctor about your symptoms.
Source: Health, NIH,CDC, TOI,
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